Definitions

1. Noun:
   • Hour: A unit of time equal to 60 minutes.
   • Time (a specific point): A precise moment in the day as shown on a clock.
   • Time (a scheduled period): A designated or appointed time for something to happen or be done.
   • Time (a period): A set period allocated for a specific activity or work.
   • The present moment (shortened form of "bây giờ"): Now, at this time.

Usage Examples

• As "hour":
  • Một ngày có 24 giờ. (A day has 24 hours.)
  • Tôi sẽ đến sau nửa giờ. (I will arrive in half an hour.)
• As a specific time:
  • Bây giờ là mười giờ. (It is ten o'clock now.)
  • Đúng giờ rồi! (Time's up! / It's exactly the time!)
• As a scheduled/appointed time:
  • Đã đến giờ học. (It's time for class.)
  • Xe lửa chạy đúng giờ. (The train runs on time.)
• As a set period:
  • Hết giờ làm việc. (Work hours are over.)
  • Đang giờ giải lao. (It's break time.)
• As "now":
  • Sáng đến giờ tôi chưa ăn gì. (I haven't eaten anything since morning until now.)

Advanced Usage

• "giờ" in traditional timekeeping: Refers to the traditional Chinese system of dividing the day into 12 two-hour periods, each associated with an animal zodiac sign.
  • giờ Ngọ (the Hour of the Horse, approximately 11 am - 1 pm)
• "giờ" in fortune-telling/astrology: Refers to an auspicious or inauspicious moment, often considered in traditional beliefs for important events.
  • sinh đúng giờ (to be born at an auspicious hour)

Variants and Related Words

• Bây giờ (adv): Now, at the present moment.
  • Bây giờ tôi hiểu rồi. (Now I understand.)
• Giờ giấc (n): Schedule, timetable (emphasizes punctuality and routine).
  • Anh ấy có giờ giấc làm việc rất nghiêm túc. (He has a very strict work schedule.)
• Giờ hành chính (n): Office hours, business hours.
• Giờ cao điểm (n): Rush hour, peak time.
• Giờ vàng (n): Prime time (TV), golden hour (photography/medicine).

Synonyms

• Tiếng (n): Hour (less common in modern daily speech, often used in formal contexts or for duration).
  • Hành trình kéo dài ba tiếng đồng hồ. (The journey lasts three hours.)
• Giờ đồng hồ (n): Hour (emphasizes the full 60-minute duration).
  • Tôi đợi một giờ đồng hồ. (I waited for a full hour.)
• Thời điểm (n): Point in time, moment.
• Lúc (n): Time, moment (more general, often for a less precise point).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Đúng giờ: On time, punctual.
• Trễ giờ: Late.
• Giờ chót: The last minute, deadline.
• Giờ Tý, giờ Sửu...: The traditional two-hour periods (Tý, Sửu, Dần, Mão...).
• Được mùa giỗ cha, được *giờ giỗ mẹ*: (Idiom) To be lucky with timing.

noun

1. hour
   • nửa giờ
     half an hour
2. Time
   • đúng giờ rồi!
     Time's up!